Pressure vessels

Iron or steel pressure vessels exceeding 300 litres capacity

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7309 00 40 (Pressure vessels) is subject to mandatory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) as a compulsory customs overlay, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73 read with DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Where the vessel functions as a liquid-capacity measure exceeding 20 litres, Legal Metrology registration and product-approval certification apply as an additional clearance requirement.

What this is

HSN code

7309 00 40

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2, Chapter 73; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
Import declaration from DGFT
Legal Metrology product approval from State government

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Apply for SIMS advance registration through the DGFT online portal and obtain an automatic registration number by paying the registration fee of ₹500. The application may be filed no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy condition no. 2, Chapter 73
2
Note SIMS carve-outs before filing: re-imports of steel for packaging purposes are not covered under SIMS, and steel items exported from the Domestic Tariff Area to an SEZ and re-imported into the DTA — whether or not with value addition — do not require SIMS registration.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
3
Where the pressure vessel constitutes a liquid-capacity measure of more than 20 litres, verify that Legal Metrology registration and product-approval certificates are in order before out-of-charge. Non-compliance attracts enforcement under Sections 19, 20 and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 read with Rules 11 to 15 (Sixth Schedule) of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.
Sections 19, 20 and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 · Rules 11 to 15, Sixth Schedule, Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without a valid SIMS registration number — either because the importer applied too close to the arrival date or because the 75-day validity window expired before the vessel cleared port. The minimum 15-day advance-registration requirement has been abolished per DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022, but the registration must still be live at the time of out-of-charge; a lapsed number triggers consignment detention and SIMS re-registration, with attendant demurrage and ground rent.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7309 00 40 require BIS certification?

No, iron or steel pressure vessels under this tariff line are not covered by a BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by mandatory Steel Import Monitoring System registration under DGFT policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73, with a Legal Metrology overlay where the vessel is used as a liquid-capacity measure exceeding 20 litres.

How long is the SIMS automatic registration number valid, and when is the earliest it can be obtained?

The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days from grant and may be applied for no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023.

Are all imports of steel pressure vessels under this HSN subject to SIMS, including SEZ-to-DTA transfers?

No. Steel items moved from the DTA to an SEZ and re-imported into the DTA — with or without value addition — and re-imports of steel for packaging purposes are both exempt from SIMS registration, per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: SIMS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.